Prosecutors urge police to stop life-threatening car chases after two teenage cheerleaders are killed in a red light crash

A PROSECUTOR released a damning testimony after a car crash followed by police killed two high school cheerleaders.

Addis Police Officer David Cauthron, 42, was arrested January 1 in connection with a fatal accident that killed Maggie Dunn, 17, and Caroline Gill, 15.

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Maggie’s brother Liam Dunn, who attends the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, was listed in critical condition on January 3.

Both girls were cheerleaders at Bristly High School.

Cauthron was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of negligent bodily harm.

He was released from prison on Jan. 8 on $100,000 bail, according to prison records.

“My office will conduct a thorough investigation of the case, including analyzing all police unit dashcam and officer camera footage, communicating with the officer and interviewing witnesses. and will present the case to a grand jury,” said District Attorney Tony Clayton.

“We are following the matter but I cannot understand why the officer drove through a red light at such high speed. Sirens and police vehicles do not give an officer the authority to run a red light.”

Clayton added that this is how police vehicles should shut down or come to a halt when lives are in danger, calling Cauthron’s actions “grossly negligent”.

“If it’s about putting lives at risk, stop the damn persecution. It’s just not worth the risk. This is a tragic case affecting many families and an entire community that has ended the lives of young people with bright futures. It’s very sad.”

According to official sources, the pursuit from Baton Rouge passed through several Louisiana communities.

Cauthron has since been placed on administrative leave, Addis Police Chief Richard Anderson said.

“Celebrating this New Year with my family and not being able to celebrate those families with those kids is just despicable. And whoever is being held accountable for that, will be held accountable for that, period,” Clayton said.

Caroline’s family is represented by attorney Jarrett Ambeau, who demands accountability.

“I spent time with the family today and they are just deeply saddened and in a state of shock,” he said at the time.

“Something like this might even take a lifetime to understand and figure out and so there’s a lot of shock, a lot of sadness, a lot of profound loss right now and hopefully we’ve been able to step in and help in some way.”

The prosecution was the result of a home invasion, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department.

Tyquel Zanders, 24, broke into a family member’s home and stole their car.

According to detention documents, the officers tried to stop the man at a traffic stop.

However, Zanders refused and the pursuit began with several red lights being run over by the man, who reached speeds of 110 mph.

He was eventually arrested by police after his car stalled and was also charged with double manslaughter.

“He faces well over 100 years in prison and we plan to pursue a full criminal prosecution,” Clayton said.

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